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Article

18 Mar 2015

Author:
Basia Cummings, Guardian (UK)

Prison and intimidation: the price of being a journalist in Angola

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Rafael Marques de Morais is facing libel for exposing the horrors of the country’s diamond trade. A veteran investigator, he explains why the situation for journalists is getting worse in the country...[I]n 2011 after years of investigation he revealed the horrors and corruption of the country’s diamond trade. Today he faces a $1.6m libel trial brought by seven generals he exposed in the book Blood Diamonds: Torture and Corruption in Angola. The book is a harrowing read detailing 500 cases of torture and 100 murders of villagers living in the vicinity of the diamond mines in the Cuango and Xá-Muteba districts. Marques de Morais filed crimes against humanity charges against the seven Angolan generals as a result of his investigation, but is now being counter-sued for $1.6m. The trial – which has been looming over him after several postponements – finally begins next week...

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